JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and a fiscally responsible leader who wants to ensure all tax laws are properly followed, responded strongly today (6-11) to the governor’s veto of 10 bills, including Senate Bills 584, 612, 662, 693, 727, 829 and 860, as well as House Bills 1296, 1455 and 1865. These bills all deal with taxation in some form in the Show-Me State.
“The goal for any of these tax measures is to deal fairly and across the board with every citizen and business,” said Sen. Kraus. “It is important to this state that we work to ensure tax protections for everyone.”
SB 662 requires the Department of Revenue (DOR) to notify a seller if there is any change in the interpretation of sales tax laws affecting that business.
“The core of SB 662 is the premise that Missouri should treat taxpayers fairly across the board,” said Sen. Kraus. “By vetoing SB 662, the governor has made it clear that he prefers ‘notification by audit’ to any proper notification of tax changes.”
SB 829 and HB 1455 puts the burden of proof back on DOR for, not only individual taxpayers and small businesses, as it was previously, but also now for large corporations and for those who collect and pay sales taxes.
“SB 829 simply makes all taxpayers equal,” said Sen. Kraus. “There is no reason that tax law as important as this should favor one type of business over another. It is time Missouri treated all businesses equally when it comes to their ability to dispute their taxes.”
“I am very disappointed that the governor has chosen to support DOR’s flawed policies rather than support the citizens and small businesses in Missouri,” said Sen. Kraus. “It is now becoming clear that the governor directed DOR to find new revenue by failing to properly interpret state statutes, and his veto of these bills today underscores his desire to raise taxes any way he can.”
Senator Kraus continued, “I will continue to work with my fellow senators to override these misguided vetoes.”
To stay current on action taken on Sen. Kraus’ 2014 legislation, visit www.senate.mo.gov/kraus and click on “Sponsored Bills.”
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